Only Tyron Smith of the Dallas Cowboys and Laremy Tunsil of the Houston Texans ranked higher.
Williams, 31, missed all of last season with Washington. Fowler notes that his contract dispute with his former team impacted some of the voting.
"He was dominant the last few years he played, and now he's well-rested," said one NFL defensive assistant. "I expect him to dominate again."
The 49ers acquired Williams via a trade in April, sending a fifth-round pick in this year's draft and a third-rounder next year to Washington in exchange for the tackle. In doing so, they replaced their six-time Pro Bowl tackle, Joe Staley, who retired, with a seven-time Pro Bowl tackle.
"One AFC exec said Williams' transition to San Francisco could be the best and worst thing for him, because he sometimes gets lazy on run blocks to the back side, which the 49ers emphasize," writes Fowler.
Washington made Williams the No. 4 overall pick in 2010. He has played in 120 NFL games, starting all but one.
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